Michael Carrick’s long-term future at Manchester United remains uncertain, but securing Champions League football could be the key factor that convinces the club to keep him in charge.
Carrick’s primary task is clear: guide Manchester United back into the Champions League places. Should he achieve that objective, indications suggest he would be strongly positioned to remain as head coach beyond the current campaign.
What excites Softfootball most, however, is not just the results, but how Manchester United are playing. There is renewed energy around the team. The players appear happier, more expressive, and connected on the pitch. At its core, Manchester United’s identity has always been about winning titles while entertaining playing free-flowing, attack-minded football and that identity appears to be resurfacing.
A major symbol of this revival is Kobbie Mainoo’s rise as Manchester United’s midfield future. Under former manager Ruben Amorim, Mainoo was largely overlooked, with Amorim convincing many fans that the young midfielder was overrated. During Amorim’s tenure, Mainoo played less than 250 minutes of Premier League football.
That approach changed under Carrick, who identified Mainoo’s quality and trusted him in key moments. Since then, Mainoo has flourished, controlling games and proving himself as a central figure in United’s midfield rebuild.
Ruben Amorim was sacked by Manchester United on January 5, 2026, after 14 months in charge. His dismissal followed a 1–1 draw against Leeds United and growing tensions with the club’s hierarchy.
With momentum building, performances improving, and young talents thriving, Carrick’s reign could yet become permanent provided he delivers Champions League football and continues to restore the soul of Manchester United.
